Donald Trump is paying $5 million of taxpayer money to the family of Ashli Babbitt to settle their wrongful death lawsuit after she lost her life in her assault on our democracy as a domestic terrorist during the insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. She was fatally shot when she ignored an officer’s warnings and attempted to enter the barricaded Speaker’s Lobby where members of Congress and staff were trapped with no outlet. She was armed (can you take that on an airplane?) and had a history of violent and unhinged behavior. An unworthy martyr is still a saint for MAGA standards.
A bigot from the same spigot
It must be deeply agonizing to be a grieving parent, but it doesn’t excuse the hateful racism of Babbitt’s mother, Micki Witthoeft. Michael Byrd is a black hero and the officer at the Capitol who rightfully shot her treasonous daughter in the line of duty. Obviously, no charges were filed against him.
A white person in America knows exactly what they’re doing when they threaten to lynch a black person. She only mentioned Nancy Pelosi to poorly hide her bigoted intention. Donald Trump’s racist rhetoric is intentional to fan the flames of his supporters and strengthen their cult-like resolve to deadly levels.
Donald Trump continues decades of overt racism
In the aftermath of Babbitt’s death, Donald Trump called Michael Byrd a “thug,” because Donald Trump is a racist. If you don’t know why that’s racist, please consider this perspective. Does anyone really think Fox News used the word “thug” to describe the majority white traitors on January 6th, despite the fact they were embodying that very definition? According to Trump, they were “very special,” “hostages,” “patriots,” “peaceful…great people,” and “warriors.”
Trump clearly has a problem with black people who work for the federal government. And with black people in general.
Trump backs smacks the blue
The White House says Trump won’t “betray” the police, but that’s the same word a Capitol police officer used to express how they feel about Trump issuing pardons to all of the domestic terrorists from January 6th that resulted in over 140 officers injured and multiple dead. Not only did Trump free the traitors, but he wants to compensate them as well.
The attackers get pardons and payouts, so what do the heroes get? A plaque, at least they were supposed to. In March 2022, Congress passed a law that would place an honorary plaque in the Capitol with the names of each officer present on January 6th. It was set to be completed by March 2023, but Mike Johnson was placed in charge and continues to delay the installation. What a weird way to back the blue.
The not-so-hidden message
Donald Trump is telling his violent supporters that if they use weapons to carry out acts of political violence, he will ensure they aren’t held accountable, he will pay them, and he will pay their families if they die. That sounds like a fascist version of the military, because it’s exactly what it is. Donald Trump is recruiting his version of the Nazi Brownshirts, his militia of martyrs, and he’s using the domestic terrorists of January 6th, 2021 as examples.
Imagine an angry mob storming your residence like the Capitol on January 6th and they’re empowered and emboldened by the President of the United States. They steal and destroy your property, set fires, and violently attack anyone trying to stop them (all because of a lie). If you don’t think that’s going to happen, you aren’t paying attention. We’re there.
